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Vostok Amphibia Review
Updated 8 May 2009 by Editor, RussianWatchGuide.com Question: Is it possible to buy a brand new, solidly built divers watch that's water resistant to 200 meters, that uses an automatic mechanical movement, and costs less than a hundred bucks? Answer: You bet it is. The watch I just described is the Vostok Amphibia. And the one shown below cost just $49. 
I had read a few good things about Vostok Amphibia watches on message boards recently. Posters seemed to believe that the Vostok Amphibia (sometimes called Amphibian or Amfibia) is a lot of watch for the money. Now that I've had the opportunity to see and wear one for myself, I have to agree. This watch is an exceptional value. It's heavy and solid and, because I own other Vostok watches, I know the movement will be reliable.
As for styling, well, that is a matter of personal taste. My friends tell me this is an ugly watch. I disagree. True, it's bulky and "retro". But it's also strong, functional and unique. You be the judge. Vostok makes a number of different Amphibia watches so if you generally like divers watches you may find a style that appeals to you. I purchased this watch on eBay from the Zenitar Store, but you can also find it at Smirs and other online stores. I paid $49 plus $15 for shipping. Shipping from Russia to Canada took about two weeks. The watch is made in Russia. The manual supplied with the watch is in Russian only. However, Zenitar will send out an English manual at the buyer's request. You can also view the English-version of the Vostok Amphibia manual here. Specifications - Automatic Vostok self-winding movement 2416B with 31 ruby jewels - Water resistant up to 200 meters - Central second hand - Anti-shock balance - Screw-down winding head and back cover - Case diameter (without the crown): 40 mm - Case thickness: 12 mm - Stainless steel bracelet - Width of bracelet: 18 mm - Date-of-month calendar - Graduated rotated bezel - Totally wound watches runs not less than 31 hrs - Stainless steel rear cap - Luminous hands and markings - Average term of service 10 years - 1 year manufacturer warranty Cost: $49
I bought an Albatross in original octagonal Amphibia case (Marine Border Patrol version) in the late 1980s, from a shop in Sydney (Australia) which sold Soviet books and goods. Its hand-wound 2414A calibre gains a little more than a minute a day, so all is well. With two decades of use and the benefit of this hindsight, I can say it's a marvelous watch; not having experiences with examples produced after the dissolution of the Soviet Union I honestly do not know how a new one compares in the long run; if I get one I can tell you how it goes in another twenty years :D Took my Amfibia on holiday, swam in the Med with it, keeps good time, loses about a minute a day. Great watch, although I love my Rodina and Sturmanskie too. I love my Amphibia, though (probably my fault) it once lost a luminous marking (one dot), that wandered into the mechanism through the date window. It was then ground into powder by the teeth of the caliber, which resulted with the oil in a paste that blocked the winding. The service replaced the caliber for free. Else very sturdy I bought this watch about 4 months ago and noticed that is started making this loud noise after about to days this stopped and was replaced by a shaking noise like something was loose. After a day it stopped ticking? does anyone know why? Thats really great eric.
Glad you had the same problem as i did, a minor glitch easily solved That's great, Eric. Glad it was a simple repair. Thanks for the info. Out of frustration I took my Amphibia to a local jeweler today. He stated the obligatory "I can't get russian watch parts" then proceeded to take the back off, reattached the rotor, replaced the case back and charged me $5.00! I'm happily again wearing my Vostok. Hopefully it won't happen again! Howdy...Appreciate everyones input. I have emailed Smirs to request warranty service 5 times in three weeks with no reply. As one who has traveled in Russia I should have remembered that customer service isn't one of their strong points. yep, i did like CJ for the exact reason. send it, more money and trouble for a cheap watch. a fiable repair guy, hard to find. but to do what i did, anyone can do in less than 5m (if the problem was like mine). i didnt send the watch back, because even with the noise it worked very well, so i guessed it wasnt nothing too complex or mindblowing, fortunately i was right... i bought my tools on ebay too. nothing too expensive. and for one who likes gadgets, very fun.
if the clock didnt work at all or worked bad, id would send it back too. cause the problem probably would be bigger than my expertise (that is close to none) Eric, in my experience a lot of watch repair guys don't like to touch Russian watches since they aren't familiar with them. And if you find one that will do it they sometimes end up charging more than the watch is worth. I bought basic watch repairing tools on eBay so I can dismantle and repair my own watches. It's actually quite enjoyable. And since the watches are not expensive I don't worry too much if I break one. Hello, Pete
I am clueless about watches. Could a local clocksmith do what you did?
Hoping to hear your reply.
Eric
to eric:
mine came with that rattling noise, it worked fine, but had that noise, i guessed (and was right) the screw above the rotor was loose... for the price and trouble and time of sending it back, i opened it (with a jax and a support) and then gently screw it down, 5m work, it works fine for a week now. i guess this happens a few times unfortenately Have been wearing my Amphibia for 5 weeks(identical to the one pictured above). Today it developed a loud rattling/sliding around sound on the inside. Emailed Smirs about repair...I took six weeks to get it; no telling how long to get it fixed. Absolutely love my Amphibia! Loads of watch for the money. I changed the band on mine. Put on a $10 black nylon strap. It's perfect for the watch. I have one , 7 years like new.Thanks. |
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